Infections surge in Iloilo City, province

Covid-19 cases in Iloilo province and Iloilo are on the rise in the month of January 2021.

Based on the data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (PHO), the province has logged 400 cases as of January 26.

This is higher compared to the 386 cases in December 2020, according to Dr. Socorro Quiñon Iloilo Provincial Health Officer.

In a radio interview, Quiñon said the total COVID-19 cases in the province last year was 3,455. Majority, or 78% were local cases, while 14% were locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and 7% were returning Overseas Filipino Workers (ROFs).

The spike in cases is being blamed to the recent holidays when many Ilonggos went home to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

“Dako ang epekto sa pagsaka sang kaso sa possible pagpull down sang quarantine status sang probinsya. Nalikawan ini kuntani kon nagpaumod sa pagselebrar sang paskwa ang mga Ilonggo,” Quiñon said.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo provincial government will employ ‘zonal containment strategy’ on affected barangays in three municipalities with the highest number of COVID-19 cases.

The strategy will be implemented on barangays with clustering of cases or barangays with at least two recorded cases for a period of one to two weeks.

Passi City recorded the highest number of cases in Iloilo province with 111 active COVID-19 cases followed by San Joaquin with 51 cases and Oton with 28 cases.

On the other hand, COVID-19 cases in Iloilo City are also consistently rising, particularly from January 12 to January 26, after logging an average of 9 new cases daily.

The sudden spike in daily cases was first noted on January 12 with 15 cases, or 400 percent higher compared to 3 cases a month ago.

The city also recorded a 700% increase in the number of cases on January 20 with 16 against 2 cases on December 20.

From January 24 to January 26, the average daily cases in the metro also spiked with 14 cases on January 24 (16.66% increase); 9 on January 25 (900% increase); and 12 cases of January 25 (1,100% increase) compared to the same dates in December 2020.

Mayor Jerry Treñas has reminded the public to practice health protocols like wearing of face masks and face shields following the surge of cases in January. (ERS)